Improved, yes. It still is inferior to the IQ of a single GPU imho. I think Titan will give you the best IQ. Dual 7970s might give you "better performance", but it might not look better. I went with CFX because I already had one 6870 and a second was a cheap upgrade option. If I were to upgrade I would go with one good GPU, for me it was only a cost saving measure so I can wait to see what the next generation of GPUs turns out.

Click to expand...

That makes sense. Adding a Titan to my build would also decrease the over power requirement so I could drop down to a 650-750W PSU and save a little bit of cash in that department. Oh lawdy the decisions the decisions lol.

You don't need six cores for gaming only.... But if you have the money and you want the best why knock the budget down and settle for less?

No rhyming was intended

This would be another good reason for 6 cores. If you will be multi-tasking during gaming you could use the extra cores.

Click to expand...

Sure if op uses the rig for demanding tasks rather than MMOs. I appreciate build for purpose and price /performance more than absolute brute force, while most of the thread participants prefer brute force. An alternative viewpoint, and something which will not kill the wallet. No use if op's wallet is like a bottomless pit though

I find the lg IPS 2xx monitors pretty decent (stand a bit wobbly), if you are thinking of having a single arm mounting the three monitors you might want to consider those.

As I said before I want 3 monitors for various purposes like a movie/music on one when I'm farming/grinding/whatever in a game, the 2nd would be the main monitor I game on, the 3rd would be for surfing, pulling up forums/faqs/having chat up/etc. That's the only reason I want a multi-monitor display vs a solo monitor. I'll probably end up changing my mind and snagging a 30" with as much self-debating I do

Click to expand...

Then I honestly recommend you to trim your build somewhere and pick up a 30 and a smaller 24 monitor to have closer.

I used a 3x24 setup but if you are not going to play surround then 30 for the main activity and a couple of 24 for additional activities (maybe even in portrait mode) are your best option.

Titan would be the smartest choice over CFX, you'll end up having the second card disabled most of the time.

Sure if op uses the rig for demanding tasks rather than MMOs. I appreciate build for purpose and price /performance more than absolute brute force, while most of the thread participants prefer brute force. An alternative viewpoint, and something which will not kill the wallet. No use if op's wallet is like a bottomless pit though

I find the lg IPS 2xx monitors pretty decent (stand a bit wobbly), if you are thinking of having a single arm mounting the three monitors you might want to consider those.

Click to expand...

My wallet isn't endless although I wish it was . You bring up a good point though. The only reason I'm 'dumping' so much into this rig is its a belated birthday present/first deployment present to myself .

I was looking at those LG IPS and have heard great things about them! Never even though about a single arm mount for all three monitors. I'll have to take a gander at those as well.

Thank you all so much for the conversation and viewpoints it's been much more help then I've received anywhere else, well I can't say that but it's been much more in depth to say the least and I really appreciate it!

To be honest it would even be worse because X79 comes with a higher power consumption level than a IVY/SB system, just compare the CPUs wattages, I recall the 3770K being something like 77w.

Click to expand...

The 3820 doesn't use that much more power than say the 2600k despite the difference in TDP. The 3770k will use less mainly because it's a die shrink. We should see the benefits of 22nm on skt2011 with IVB-E. I personally would stay stick with skt2011 if IVB-E sounds interesting and just get a 3820. You won't notice too much of a difference in performance between the 3770k for gaming and you'll still have all the features, bells, and whistles that come with skt2011 CPUs while holding on to the possibility of upgrading when IVB-E comes around.

The 3820 will also cost less than the 3770k which would make up for the extra cost of the X79 motherboard, or at least part of it depending on the board.

The 3820 doesn't use that much more power than say the 2600k despite the difference in TDP. The 3770k will use less mainly because it's a die shrink. We should see the benefits of 22nm on skt2011 with IVB-E. I personally would stay stick with skt2011 if IVB-E sounds interesting and just get a 3820. You won't notice too much of a difference in performance between the 3770k for gaming and you'll still have all the features, bells, and whistles that come with skt2011 CPUs while holding on to the possibility of upgrading when IVB-E comes around.

The 3820 will also cost less than the 3770k which would make up for the extra cost of the X79 motherboard, or at least part of it depending on the board.

You wouldn't notice the performance difference between 3820 and 3770 so why not stick with the cheaper option? Get 2011 only if you need either: more ram, more cores, or more pcie lanes. Op needs none of those, ergo 2011 is wasted on him.

You wouldn't notice the performance difference between 3820 and 3770 so why not stick with the cheaper option? Get 2011 only if you need either: more ram, more cores, or more pcie lanes. Op needs none of those, ergo 2011 is wasted on him.

Click to expand...

I say go 2011 because if you look in the right places the price won't be any more expensive than buy an IVB rig off Newegg. There is currently a FS thread up with a 3820 and a RIVE for sale for 500 USD. You can't tell me that isn't a good deal.

Either way going skt2011 will give you more options for upgrading in the future and games are only going to become more multi-threaded, not less, and at the very worst, will stay the same. He might not need more ram yet, he might not need more PCI-E lanes yet, and he might not need more cores yet, but eventually he might and if a good deal exists it is worth going after even more so with a budget like that.

I'm not saying the 3770k is a bad option, I'm just advocating for SB-E if you can get parts for the right price. Personally I think SB-E has been a pretty fun platform to work with.